In the past few weeks, I’ve read a few books: Peony in Love: A Novel by Lisa See, The Zoo Keeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman and Beauty by Robin McKinley. The first, Peony in Love, was a little folklorish for me. I really enjoyed See’s other book Snowflower and the Secret Fan: A Novel. When I got to the end of Peony in Love and read the author’s note, I realized the purpose of the book which was to write about the women of China stepping out of their inner chambers and beginning to take on the things of men, mainly writing. Most women burned what they wrote feeling unworthy to publish it, but some of the stuff was shared. It was a better book after I read the author’s note and received redemption, but only at the end.

The next one, The Zoo Keeper’s Wife is based on the journal of Antonia, the Warsaw Zoo Keeper’s wife, during the second world war. They aided a ton of Jews and kept them in the villa or in the animal houses. It was a really great book about compassion and sheer determination to survive. Ackerman included quotes from Antonia’s diary as well as other tidbits of information concerning that era. I highly recommend this book! It’s a must-read.

The last one I finished this afternoon and was absolutely addicted. Beauty is “a retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast.” It was absolutely fascinating and a wonderful love story. I found it to be well-written and quite the page turner. McKinely has written other novels re-divulging fairy tales and let me tell you, I was quick to request a few from the library! This is another must-read. I loved it.

The best apart about being a stay at home wife: all the books I’ve been able to devour!

So I’m on 6th with Conor, the last leg of our journey to church, and I hear this quick ripping noise. Now we’re just barely going to make it in time for primary (primary is first this year in our ward) and my slit just ripped so that I’m feeling rather exposed and immodest. I made this dress and didn’t realize the slit would be so high and so I had done a quick hand sew to get it up to snuff. But that wasn’t enough, especially when walking for a good 30 minutes. I felt really embarrassed! And to top it all off I thought I had forgotten to wear a slip because it had hiked itself up and was bunched around my waist. It was rather traumatizing. In the end I scurried to the bathroom when we arrived at our chapel (the hallway wasn’t quite as clear as I was hoping) and adjusted everything so I wouldn’t be a bad example. Oi! The good part about the outfit: Conor LOVES it!

Sorry, the pattern did not photograph well. While we’re on it, anyone else have an embarrassing Sabbath experience that they’d like to share with the group? You can always just share you sympathies with me.

Today is definitely a day I’m going to spend lounging. I think Conor and I both have some virus ripping through our bodies because we have never both been so tired. It’s awful. On Thursday, I made the most wonderful loaves of bread ever. I’m not joking, they really were the best I’ve made so far.

FYI, Conor and I don’t really eat wheat around here except in the form of cookies. And then yesterday, I made a half-batch of cinnamon buns (which actually turned out delicious for once!) and so of course I’ve had a couple of those.

And now I feel SO stupid! Wheat and milk are two products that I can certainly do without (cream of any type – half and half, whipping, heavy – is generally the biggest “no no” for me!) and here I am eating bread like it’s going out of style when I haven’t eaten much in ages. Sheesh! Yup. Couch day.

While I’m on it, I found an interesting article on metabolism that makes so much sense. No duh I’m tired. Wheat and milk are definitely metabolic inhibitors in my body and totally freak my body out! lol. Luckily I don’t get more hungry, I get less.

PS: Oh and by the way, I’m really excited that Conor’s blog has gotten so many comments however, I hate feeling like old news so could someone please pay attention to me before I quit blogging altogether?

My wonderful husband, Conor, just launched his own personal blog under his current business name, One Man Strong. Conor will share weekly about school, work, life, wife… everything! He’ll be posting some great things. Check out his first ever blog post and leave a comment.

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Here are some photos from the archives:

Hayley, Lindsay and I at one of the Youth dances. This is a favourite photo of mine!

My 17th birthday.

Alissa, Megan, Lindsay and I goofing around at Hayley’s. The sweater I’m wearing has some serious history and I remember all night long Megan made fun of me. An “ex” had given it to me as a late Christmas gift, but this was a really expensive hoody from Abercrombie – something like $130 american.

And again…

At school. Megan had gone on some exotic vacation and brought us back necklaces. The sweet part was they matched what we were wearing!

I totally LOVED finding these photos and having the memories flood back. I am now missing and mourning my long hair more than ever. For those who don’t know I have had long hair all my life until the end of August. I chopped it all off.

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